Fernando Valenzuela dies at 63. Dodgers star transformed baseball fandom

Fernando Valenzuela has died at the age of 63. Valenzuela made a mark as one of the most popular Dodgers of all-time, drawing in Mexican and Mexican American fans who celebrated the pitching star as a transformative figure in Major League Baseball.

"We profoundly mourn the passing of Fernando,” said Stan Kasten, the L.A. Dodgers president and chief executive in a statement announcing Valenzuela's death. Kasten called Valenzuela: "One of the most influential Dodgers ever."

Read more: Thank you Fernando: How a Dodgers legend captured my childhood heart

Valenzuela, who'd worked as a Spanish-language Dodgers broadcaster for more than two decades, had announced earlier this month that he would step away from the booth for the remainder of the season to focus on his health.

Fernando Valenzuela signs autographs at Dodger Stadium in his rookie season.

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When they announced Valenzuela was stepping back, the Dodgers did not make clear the nature of his health issues. The team said at the time: "He and his family truly appreciate the love and support of fans as he aims to return for the 2025 season, and they have asked for privacy during this time.''

Valenzuela made his mark as a pitcher, and debuted at 19 on the mound for the Dodgers. He was a storied member of the 1981 Fernandomania season. That year, Valenzuela won the National League Rookie of the Year honors and the Cy Young award.

Last August, Valenzuela's number 34 jersey was retired by the Dodgers in front of a packed stadium.

As part of the celebration, the pitcher with a vicious screwball who was dubbed "El Toro," threw out the first to pitch to Mike Scioscia, his longtime catcher.

Surrounded by family Fernando Valenzuela waves to the fans as the Dodger Organization retired his jersey number on Aug. 11, 2023.

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Jaime Jarrin, another legendary broadcaster for the Dodgers, explained Valenzuela's significance when his number was retired.

“He became right away a hero for Latinos following baseball,” Jarrín told LAist. “The most important thing is that he created so many new baseball followers.…people from Mexico, from Central America, from South America that didn’t care at all about baseball.”

Go deeper: ‘Fernandomania’ Returns: The Dodgers are (finally) retiring Fernando Valenzuela’s number

Broadcasting career

Famed baseball scout Mike Brito looks on as Fernando Valenzuela #34 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebratesafter winning the 1981 World Series against the NY Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

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Since 2003, Valenzuela had been a beloved broadcaster with the team. Valenzuela called games for the last 21 years.

That part of his career began after Valenzuela played 11 years, including as a pitcher for the 1981 team that beat the New York Yankees. The two teams, among the most iconic in the MLB, face off this Friday for the first time since then.

His background

Fernando Vallenzuela's family: Father Avelino and mother Hermenegilda Anguamea de Valenzuela, center, pose with eight of the 12 Valenzuela brothers and sisters in front of their family adobe in the small town of Etchohuaquila in 1981.

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Jose Galvez

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\Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela #34 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is interviewed by his manager Tommy Lasorda #2 before the game against the Chicago Cubs on June 7, 1981 at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

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Fernando Valenzuela at a news conference answers questions from reporters at Dodger Stadium, May 13, 1981.

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Fernando Valenzuela is turned upside-down by the Reds' Tom Seaver from a brush-back pitch.

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Rick Meyer

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitching star, Fernando Valenzuela, poses in 1981.

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Fernando Valenzuela #34 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during a game at Dodger Stadium.

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Valenzuela was the youngest of 12 children, born in Etchohuaquila, Sonora, Mexico.

Within a year of his 1980 Major League debut, Fernandomania set in after he went on to an unprecedented career-opening run, with complete games in his first eight career starts. Five of those games were shutouts and his ERA was a stunningly-low 0.50.

Valenzuela is survived by his wife, Linda, and four children, Fernando Jr., Ricardo, Linda and Maria Fernanda, and seven grandchildren.

Tributes pour in

His death prompted an outpouring of memories and support for his loved ones.

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement calling Valenzuela a legend.

"To millions, Fernando Valenzuela was more than a baseball player," she said. "He was an icon that transcended the limits of hope and dreams. He was the voice of a game that we hold close in our hearts. His charisma was palpable, and his excellence was undeniable."

Gov. Gavin Newsom said Valenzuela's "profound impact on the game," will always be remembered, as well as "his spirit that embodied the California Dream."

Major League Baseball sent out a video documenting his rookie year.

The Dodgers Spanish-language account on X (formerly Twitter) shared out a video of his final pitch in his first MLB start.

And tributes at an empty Dodger stadium after new of Valenzuela's death was shared by the team.